Pre Match Pre Match - Everton (H) - Weds - 20:00

[Brizzle]

football is back baby

Big game to really set the standard for the run in. And a big level of vengeance after we bottled the game at Goodison.

Sounds to me that Gravy is a doubt and not sure on Trent but every one else ok. For me Endo has to start.

Alisson

Quansah
Konate
Virgil
Robbo

Endo
Macca
Szobo

Salah
Jota
Gakpo

Let’s hope Gakpo starts, we’ve missed him. Maybe Diaz is back at #9 but tbh with jota & Nunez both being so crap it doesn’t really matter. However Gakpo on the wing is important.

 

[MomoWASright]

They’ve had extra chill time to be ready for the next title winning 5 games.

Liverpool have given their squad an extended break ahead of the Premier League title run-in. The Reds players would usually have reported back at the AXA Training Centre on Thursday after representing their countries during the recent international break.

However, with Arne Slot's side not in action this weekend having been eliminated early from the FA Cup, the decision has been taken to afford the squad extra time off before beginning preparations for their next game at home to Everton in the Premier League on Wednesday.

 

[Hansern]

Gravy is expected to be fit I think.

 

[Modo]

Shouldn't Bradders be back now?
He's been out for since mid Feb.

 

[Frogfish]

According to Premier Injuries : Bradley, Gomez and Trent are 100% out. Ali is only 50/50 and Gravy is 75% likely to be fit. Ali was a precaution so its likely both Ali and Gravy will be ready.

I don't think it necessarily a bad thing Quansah will be at RB - Everton will do their usual of throwing the big lads up at every set piece so the extra height & heading ability could be valuable at both ends.

The front line is that three because they are the best finishers (when in form) we have. And best suited to when we have the lion's share of possession (which we should have).

------------------------------ Alisson

Quansah ----------- Konate ----------- Virgil ---------- Robbo

-------------------------------- Gravy

------------------------------------------ Macca
-----------------------Szobo

Salah ----------------------- Jota ------------------- Gakpo

 

[Hansern]

Shouldn't Bradders be back now?
He's been out for since mid Feb.

Think he's back in April, sadly. We need him for the run in. Hopefully Slot will have an update.

 

[Hansern]

There is absolutely no excuse if we aren't up for this. If there isn't a fight or ability to win a 50/50 at home to the blueshite they need flogging.

 

[tombrown]

Think he's back in April, sadly. We need him for the run in. Hopefully Slot will have an update.

And this match is in April. Welcome back Conor

 

[Hansern]

And this match is in April. Welcome back Conor

Late April 😉

 

[Brizzle]

After this game we have one game a week until the end of the season.

No breaks.

No interruptions.

One game a week to close this fucker out.

LFG

 

[mark1975]

-----------------Alisson-----------------
Quansah--Konate--VVD---Robertson-
-------------Endo---Macca------------
----------------Szobo------------------
---Salah------Chiesa--------Gapko---

Obviously Chiesa doesn't usually play central, but it would be a fairly fluid attack where he can drift and link play on both sides and centrally, I'm done with the dogshit served up by Nunez and Jota, while Diaz runs a lot and that's about it. Fuck the three of them. It might actually prompt us to play football against the gobshites too, instead of lumping in aimless balls that their big centre backs will eat for breakfast.

 

[Fabio]

Jota or Nunez will start. They shouldn't, but they will.

If that's the case, Ideally I'd play Nunez as he's stronger against their CBs. Gakpo has to start as Diaz is about as strong as wet bread (tenacious, but zero strength). Salah starts.

This is going to be won and lost in midfield. We need to win the duels, so I'd be more tempted to start Jones ahead of szob, and bring him on against tired legs later.

Perhaps Macca slightly deeper to help gravy not get isolated.

 

[mark1975]

Jota or Nunez will start. They shouldn't, but they will.

If that's the case, Ideally I'd play Nunez as he's stronger against their CBs. Gakpo has to start as Diaz is about as strong as wet bread (tenacious, but zero strength). Salah starts.

This is going to be won and lost in midfield. We need to win the duels, so I'd be more tempted to start Jones ahead of szob, and bring him on against tired legs later.

Perhaps Macca slightly deeper to help gravy not get isolated.

I was tempted to go with a four man midfield, but we need pace in the team too on the break, which is where I think that system can fall short. Personally I'd prefer not to have any of Nunez, Jota or Diaz near the XI, but I can understand the case for Nunez because he will give us power and height, if he applies himself, which is where no one knows what they are getting.

 

[Hansern]

Good thing is that several of our players found a bit of form while being away.
Both Diaz and Gakpo scored goals and have seen an upturn in performances.

 

[Brizzle]

I'd lean towards starting Diaz down the centre simply because at a minimum he will work his ass off, be a threat on the ball and fight for us.

 

[darkstarexodus]

I'd be okay with Diaz starting down the middle of Gakpo is fit enough to start on the left. The goals have to come from somewhere.

Alternatively, Gakpo could be tried down the middle again. He's had joy on the left this season but he's a more natural fit for the middle than Diaz.

Jota deserves to sit. Nunez is an option but, as he's likely off in the summer, I'm more interested in seeing what kind of attack we'll have left.

Cheesy def won't start but I hope he gets 25-30 mins somewhere on the pitch.

 

[Judge Jules]

I don't agree that Gakpo's a better fit down the middle than Diaz. I get that it's not Diaz' best position but he puts a shift in and can occasionally look dangerous there, whereas when I've seen Gakpo play centrally the game has just passed him by.

 

[Hansern]

Gakpo looked very good for Holland and played himself into form. He has to start imho

 

[Modo]

Gakpo looked very good for Holland and played himself into form. He has to start imho

Didn't look that great in the second game

 

[darkstarexodus]

I don't agree that Gakpo's a better fit down the middle than Diaz. I get that it's not Diaz' best position but he puts a shift in and can occasionally look dangerous there, whereas when I've seen Gakpo play centrally the game has just passed him by.

Started down the middle in the 7-0 versus United, no?

 

[Judge Jules]

Fair point, but he's been played centrally in too many others without success for my liking.

 

[Modo]

Jota starts.

 

[Fabio]

Jota starts breaking down attacks from the first minute

I agree

 

[Modo]

Bookmarked

 

[Hansern]

Jota starts.

Jota played himself into a bit of form as well and got an assist.

 

[Modo]

Jota played himself into a bit of form as well and got an assist.

Exactly and he played well too.

 

[Hansern]

Yeah, and my point from earlier. Some of our attacking players have gotten some minutes under their belts and found some form.
Bodes well for the run in.

 

[Fabio]

Exactly and he played well too.

In internationals.

It's a much slower pace and less physical than the league.

Jota would do well in Italy or Spain. I just think his ships sailed

 

[mom]

3-3

 

[StevieM]

In internationals.

It's a much slower pace and less physical than the league.

Jota would do well in Italy or Spain. I just think his ships sailed

Yep - send him to Atl Madrid as part of an Alvarez deal - Jota +£50m for example - then flog Donkey to Saudi and use that plus money from Kelleher’s sale to also sign Ekitike.

Forward line sorted.